Latest news with #ShrewsburyTownCouncil
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Percy Thrower's daughter sad Shrewsbury flower show is ending
The community of Shrewsbury has reacted to the "shock" cancellation of one its most popular summer events, which has been running for 150 Flower Show, set up by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, began in for its notable display of flowers and fireworks, the event has brought thousands of visitors to the Quarry park each year - but organisers announced on Wednesday that they can no longer continue to run it due to rising costs. Margaret Thrower, a horticulturalist from Shrewsbury who has been involved with the flower show most of her life, said she is "heartbroken" as the show is "her family". Ms Thrower, daughter of Percy Thrower, who became famous in the 1970s and 80s for his appearances on shows such as Gardeners' World and Blue Peter, and was parks superintendent for Shrewsbury, said she is lost for words over the news."It has been my life from the day I was born almost," she told BBC Radio Shropshire."When I think of the years of history, years of hard work that have gone in to producing that show."But not only that, the joy and entertainment it has brought to so many people and what it has brought to Shrewsbury, it is sad," she said."The show is me, it is a family. It has brought a lot to the town but it is an end of an era. "I know the show was struggling but I never thought it would come to this." The show, which takes place over two days in mid-August, has been making a loss over recent years said Maelor Owen, chairman of Shropshire Horticultural cited "changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage", alongside the cost of living crisis as the reason behind the Maelor, who joined the society in 2004, said: "[For] people who have been with the society for a long time, it is safe to say people have looked at these things with their heart rather than their head."But if we continue the way we are then in the next 10 years we will be insolvent, it is no way to run any business or do anything."He said the 2024 show operated at a loss of £400,000, which led organisers to "act quickly" and make the decision. 'Part of who we are' Shrewsbury Town Council have said the news has come as a surprise as they were in discussions with organisers last week. Helen Ball, town clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "The Shrewsbury Flower Show is more than just a weekend event – it's part of who we are as a town. "We understand the increasing pressures faced by event organisers in today's climate and sincerely thank the Shropshire Horticultural Society for their many years of dedication. "We acknowledge the financial contribution the Horticultural Society made to the Quarry in 2000, which has left a lasting legacy for the town. "We've always worked closely and positively with their team, and this announcement will come as a disappointment to many."The council added that the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – Martyn's Law – has introduced new and challenging responsibilities for event organisers, but said public safety must always remain paramount. Mark Hooper, from Visit Shropshire, told BBC Radio Shropshire: "When you say Shrewsbury people say 'flowers', so to lose something like this is terrible news, it is sad more than anything."Mr Hooper said the show is one of Shropshire's top five events of the year, bringing in a "substantial" amount of business for accommodation providers and the hospitality sector."It will be a big loss this year," he added. "But Shrewsbury has got some great entrepreneurs, maybe someone else could take it on?" The 2024 show featured more than 35 floral exhibitors and 175 traders - with expensive extra security measures added following a security threat at the 2023 Thrower, who lived in the park house in the Quarry as a young child, said she understands the society, which is a registered charity, cannot continue to make a loss but added the event has not changed with the times."It has got into a bit of a rut and just hasn't managed to get out of it," she said."Together people's aspirations and wants have changed over the years but the show hasn't changed with them."Mr Owen said the society will be looking at the event's long-term future, and those who have already bought tickets for the show can request refunds via the society's office. Additional reporting by Paul Shuttleworth Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Shrewsbury beavers named Beryl and Bertie after school poll
Two beavers released into a Shropshire nature reserve this year have been named, after local school children submitted Eurasian beavers were released at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury in February, reintroducing the animals to the area for the first time in 400 pair have now been named Beryl and Bertie, after Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) and Shrewsbury Town Council launched a contest last winning entry came from Year 2 at Coleham Primary School, and beat other suggestions as Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. A shortlist of the names suggested by schoolchildren was released earlier this month and the public were asked to vote for their final and Acorn were suggested by pupils at Meole Brace Primary School, and Charlie and Darwin came from Longnor CofE and Clive CofE beavers were transported to Shropshire from Scotland, and their release into the nature reserve is one of a number of recent projects in enclosed areas in the is hoped Beryl and Bertie will help to maintain the Old River Bed nature reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Names needed for nature reserve's beavers
Getty Images Two beavers released into a nature reserve in Shropshire are looking for names. The Shropshire Beaver Project, by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shrewsbury Town Council, aims to assess the impact of the beavers on the wetland site. The bonded pair are the first to return to the Shropshire Hills in 400 years and the vote is open to try and find them names. A shortlist of names for the Shrewsbury beavers includes: Bertie and Beryl, Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. People can visit the Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Instagram page to cast their vote, with the results to be revealed next week. They were released into the Old River Bed Nature Reserve in early February. Votes close on 11 April. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Names needed for Shropshire nature reserve's beavers
Two beavers released into a nature reserve in Shropshire are looking for names. The Shropshire Beaver Project, by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shrewsbury Town Council, aims to assess the impact of the beavers on the wetland bonded pair are the first to return to the Shropshire Hills in 400 years and the vote is open to try and find them names.A shortlist of names for the Shrewsbury beavers includes: Bertie and Beryl, Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. People can visit the Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Instagram page to cast their vote, with the results to be revealed next week. They were released into the Old River Bed Nature Reserve in early close on 11 April. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Primary school pupils invited to name beavers
Primary school pupils have been asked to suggest names for two beavers that have been brought to live at a local nature reserve for the first time in 400 years. The Eurasian beavers were released into an enclosure at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury, last month. They were transported to Shropshire from Scotland, and their release last month is one of a number of recent projects in enclosed areas in the UK. Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) & Shrewsbury Town Council have now launched a contest for primary school children to name the beavers, with an 18 March deadline for entries. In a Facebook post announcing the contest, the wildlife trust said it had sent local schools a link where staff could submit children's suggestions. The pair is made up one male beaver and one female beaver. The trust added that staff could submit possible names on behalf of a class or on behalf of a whole school. The government announced last week that the animals would be released more widely across England, under a licensing system overseen by Natural England. In the Shrewsbury project, it is hoped the beavers will help to maintain the nature reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. SWT said in late February that the beavers were "settling in well" and had been filmed grooming each other, adding that this was a sign of a good relationship between the pair. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Wild beaver release approved for England Baby boom prompts call to boost wild beaver population How beavers are reviving wetlands Shropshire Wildlife Trust
